Is Canon finally entering the mirrorless camera market?

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As the 800-pound gorilla of cameras, Canon over time has the opportunity to do two mirrorless interchangeable lens camera types:

APS-C mirrorless ILC

This is the camera that would come first; Canon’s take on the Sony Nex/Nikon 1. It would have an APS-C size sensor (give or take) and have purpose-built lenses designed for compactness and light weight, such as the lens described in the patent. But it also could accept the array of Canon EF-S lenses (for APS-C DSLRs) and EF lenses (full-frame and APS-C DSLRs), most likely with an adapter that retains functionality (as Nikon does for Nikkor DSLR lenses). The Canon DSLR lenses would be bulkier than needed. But for many Canon users, they’re already in their lens collections, paid for, and ready for use. The camera would also have a flash shoe that works with Canon’s versatile and not-inexpensive flashes.

This camera would appeal to users looking to step up from as a simpler point-and-shoot digital camera, and would be a must-buy for Canon enthusiasts or pros looking for an additional camera body (except Nikon DSLR users with their own lens investments). A pro would turn to this camera for work where quiet is important, such as a courtroom. Once you’ve got several thousand dollars invested in Canon lenses and flashes, you’re unlikely to switch brands. Canon has a chance to trump Sony and Nikon if the adapter (almost certainly required because of the shorter camera depth) allows auto focus (including continuous focus for action photography), multiple focus points, image stabilization, and auto aperture control, areas where Sony or Nikon come up short.

Super-compact mirorrless ILC

As sensor technology evolves (APS-C is at 20 megapixels, full frame at 40, and how much do you need?), Canon has the ability to come in with a tinier camera with a smaller sensor and still-smaller lenses. The Micro Four Thirds sensor is 17.3×13.0 mm; a sensor 10mm wide with 20 megapixels resolution might be a target. Compatibility with existing Canon lenses would be nice but not essential since even a wide-angle would be a telephoto. The only problem is that dust doesn’t get smaller, too, so smaller ILC cameras will need super dust control mechanisms or even a shutter that slides to cover the sensor when the lens is removed.

Over the course of a century, big advances have come from quartering the size of the previous standard for film or sensor: 8×10 to 4×5 to 2.25 inches squared to 35mm to APS. The APS film format was Kodak’s big move in 1996, just in time to be trampled by the rush to digital. More recently, an ILC digital camera might have been Kodak’s last chance at camera salvation. Canon is in no risk of going under without an interchangeable lens camera but it’s a trend that won’t go away and one no camera maker can ignore long-term.

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